Fewer winter shelter spaces, more people sleeping on Kelowna streets, says Gospel Mission

Service providers have ben trying to secure a site for a winter shelter but efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

It’s been a mild November for the Okanagan, weather-wise, but it’s just a matter of time before temperatures plummet, creating a dangerous situation for those experiencing homelessness.

And this year, all indications are that dropping temperatures will affect more people than in years past.

“Compared to years past, this year we do have more people out on the streets as it’s getting colder,” said Carmen Rempel, executive director for the Gospel Mission.

“Even on Leon (Avenue), and we keep our street pretty clear, we’ve had more tent activity.”

According to the city nightly count, this past week saw an average of 60 people sleeping outside. That compares to just 13 at the beginning of January.

The increase in numbers is being attributed to a few factors, including those experiencing homelessness who have been displaced from flood-ravaged communities like Merritt.

“Some folks were loaded up in buses, some were taken to Kamloops and some were brought to Kelowna,” Rempel said. “So we ended up with about 12 people who have been experiencing homelessness in Merritt showing up in Kelowna and needing services.

“They were sent to different hotel rooms, some of them are doing great in those hotel rooms and some were not thriving there, and so they ended up in shelters or on the streets.”